2013 Guide to Honolulu July 4th Fireworks Shows and Entertainment

Happy birthday America! It’s time to celebrate our independence. Whether you’re planning to fire up the grill, enjoy live entertainment or watch a fireworks display, here’s your guide to Fourth of July entertainment in Honolulu.

By DIANE LEE

Web exclusive

June 27, 2013

Colorful fireworks light up the night sky above Ala Moana Beach Park.

PHoto: Picture This Jose Rodrigues

TOWN

Aloha Tower Marketplace

July 3

Independence Day celebrations start a day early at Aloha Tower. There’ll be food vendors, live art and fireworks. It’s free from 5-9 p.m., but the concert at 10:15 p.m. will cost you. Visit alohatower.com for details.

Ala Moana Beach Park

July 4

It’s Hawaii’s largest fireworks show, so expect more than 30,000 people crowding the beach. You can catch a view of the 20-minute show from the makai Ala Moana Center parking deck. There’s open seating on the parking deck beginning at 4 p.m. Cars are prohibited in Ala Moana Park starting 10 p.m. July 3 until July 4. Tune into KRATER 96 FM to hear patriotic music syncronized to the fireworks show starting at 8:30 p.m.alamoanacenter.com.

WINDWARD

Hawaii Kai Towne Center

July 4

The Rotary Club of Hawaii Kai is hosting its first annual rubber duck race, the Ducky Dash, from 1-3 p.m. Adopt a ducky for $5. The fundraiser supports local community service projects and scholarships. You can watch more than 6,000 yellow bathtub cuties float along the marina. Top prizes will be awarded to the owners of the first 30 ducks that cross the finish line. rotaryclubofhawaiikai.org.

Maunalua Bay

July 4

Thanks to an anonymous donor, Hawaii Kai will be able to celebrate Independence Day with a fireworks show this year. The Maunalua Bay Festival, from 1-9 p.m., includes hula performances, a keiki bike parade and music performances from Maunalua, local ukulele star Aidan James, Heart and Soul trio and Steven Inglis. There's a bike-decorating contest, a watermelon eating contest and face painting for the kids. Parking is available at Costco and Kaiser High School. Tune into Hawaiian 105.1 FM to hear a simulcast when the fireworks start at 8 p.m. independencedayatmaunaluabay.org.

Kailua Beach Park

July 4

The Kailua Beach Park fireworks show has been a tradition for 64 years, although it was cancelled last year due to a lack of funds. Thanks to a $25,000 check from Kailua resident Uncle Kokua this year, the show will go on. Watch the 67th Kailua Independence Parade from 10 a.m. to noon, an air show at 6 p.m., then fireworks on the beach at 8 p.m. Organizer Jana Holden says parking will be limited at the park, so she recommends car pooling, walking or biking. Parking will be available at Kailua Intermediate and Kailua Elementary Schools. kailuafireworks.ning.com.

Leeward

Pearl Harbor-Hickam Harbor

July 4

This July Fourth Beachfest at Hickam Harbor from 11-5 p.m. is open to military only. There’ll be free shave ice, stand-up paddle boarding and boat tours of the harbor. Balloon artists will be around to entertain keiki. Listen to music from the Air Force Band of the Pacific and the Pacific Fleet Band. There’s no fireworks planned this year, but the event ends in time to catch other fireworks shows around the Island. Parking is available at Hickam Harbor, Honeymoon Beach and the Haing parking lot. greatlifehawaii.com/index/july-4.html.

Battleship Missouri Memorial

July 4

If you want to show your patriotism, a music festival at the Battleship Missouri Memorial will honor the United States Armed Forces. You’ll hear patriotic music from Washington, California, Michigan, Oregon and Florida choirs. To access Ford Island, catch a shuttle to the Battleship Missouri Memorial from the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. Tickets cost $7 per person. There’s a no-bag policy, so leave those fanny packs at home. salutetovalor.com.

Schofield Barracks

July 4

Scholfield’s July Fourth celebration is for military only. This year at Weyand, there’ll be pony rides, midway games, mechanical bull riding, crafts and food booths starting at 10 a.m. There’s entertainment from American pop rock band OneRepublic and American alternative rock band Switchfoot beginning 4 p.m. Fireworks start at 8:30 p.m. from the commissary parking lot. himwr.com.

North Shore

Turtle Bay Resort

July 4

You don’t have to stay at Turtle Bay Resort to enjoy the Independence Day activities there. It’s an all-day event that includes Da Hui Paddle Race, a stand-up paddleboard expo, a beer garden and live music by John Cruz and Kapena. Bring blankets and low-back chairs to watch fireworks at 8 p.m., then head over to Surfer, The Bar for an after-party. turtlebayresort.com.

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